HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR POOL WATER COLOR For some choosing a water color can be an agonizing decision. You’ve probably made a hundred decisions already when it comes to the construction of your swimming pool. The pool finish however is probably one of the most important choices you will make for your swimming pool. Not only for the aesthetics, but also the pool will need to stand up to a harsh underwater environment. There are so many influences on water color that we can only give you an idea or “in most cases” type of an answer to the water color you will get from a pool finish. In this eBook we will cover the most common variables and the influences they have over the water color. You can watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mntkenhJSEHow to Choose Your Pool Water Color Did you know that water is actually clear? and see actual video and narration. Multiple wavelengths of light, some being absorbed and some reflecting off of the water create the color we see. Simply walking from one side of the pool to another can change the water color due to a difference in the angle that the light is hitting the water. Light wavelengths are processed through photoreceptors in our eyes that then produce electrical signals in the brain. Fifty percent of women have an additional photoreceptor that gives them a heightened color sense and the ability to see rare subtleties of color. Water color is unique to each individual and how the brain processes color. So one person’s blue may be another person’s teal. What color do you want your pool water to cast? Hues If water color is most important to you just figuring out what hue you do want will help narrow down the choices. Most pool finishes fall under only a few hue categories. Within the categories the hues will range from light to dark. Blue Aquamarine Aqua Green Black Bottoms Water color at a distance or close-up What is more important to you, the water color at a distance or the pool finish close-up? For instance some of the most beautiful water colors use grey pigment to color the cement. Even though the water color is a stunning blue from a distance some people don’t like the grey finish of the steps and shallow end standing at the side of the pool. Smokey Grey French Grey Grey finishes produce some of When viewing up close you the prettiest blue gray water color can see that it is a grey finish Some finishes like the Prism Matrix or Primera Stone have jazzy glass beads and recycled glass as accents. The “eye-candy,” as we refer to it, is only seen when you are close to the pool. The accents cannot be seen from a distance. Indigo Blue Northshore Caribbean Gorgeous water colors can Glass beads, recycled glass, polished be enjoyed from distance pebble are appreciated more close up Desired Pool Setting Do you want the pool to pop or to be subdued and blend with the surroundings? If you want your guests to comment on the vibrant pool color then choose a color that will pop and stand out from the surroundings of the pool. If the look you want to achieve will have your guests commenting on the whole backyard then choose a pool finish color that will blend with your hardscape and landscape. Midnight Ocean Vibrant water color surrounded Northshore Tahoe by white to beige toned hardscape make the pool the focal point Earth toned hardscape with plenty of foliage blends in and the pool is subdued Chilean Beach Gold Antigua This electric blue pool water The aqua green water color is the center of attention blends well with the lake Now that you’ve answered those questions it is time to consider the 5 most common variables that can affect water color. As you learn about the variables contemplate how they may influence the water color in your own pool’s setting. Variables Variables are the factors that influence water color. The most common variables are size, depth, the pool’s surroundings, sunlight, pool water chemistry and any preconceived ideas. I. Size and Depth Most large sized pools are deep so we have combined these two variables. The deeper the pool the more refraction and the richer and darker the water color. You can see this phenomenon as you look out into the ocean. The shallow water is light and almost clear, but off in the distance the water will appear to be much darker. Keep in mind, if you have a small play pool, trying to achieve a rich and darkwater color may not be possible. Here are two pool photos of the same finish, Pearl Matrix New Zealand Blue. This comparison illustrates the difference in water color due to the pool size and depth. New Zealand Blue New Zealand Blue Large and deep pools give the Shallow, small or medium size pools will still water a richer and more vibrant color. reflect color, but not like a large body of water. II. Surrounding Materials The hardscape and amount of foliage around a pool will affect the water color. Red and gold toned hardscape materials near the pool, as well as a large amount of green shrubbery, trees and lawns can change a normally blue hue to more of an aquamarine. The two pools shown below are the same product color. The normal hue this product color casts is a blue grey hue. However, the immense amount of grass surrounding the pool with the large lawn and in full sun gives the water color a decidedly aquamarine hue. Smokey Grey Dove Grey This second set of pictures is used to illustrate how the surroundings can dramatically affect water color. The pool on the left is a large and deep pool and is surrounded by mostly white decking. The pool on the right is a much smaller shallow pool surrounded by gold deck and a red brick home along with a tremendous amount of green trees. Northshore Tahoe Northshore Tahoe III. Sunlight Pool water color will change throughout the day depending on the amount of sunlight, unless of course the pool is entirely shaded all day. Full sun on the pool refracts more light and shows off the pool water color. Cloudy days, early mornings and evenings or times when the pool is shaded by trees or structures the pool water will appear more clear. Midnight Ocean Midnight Ocean Late Afternoon Late Morning IV. Water Chemistry This variable is not brought to the attention of a new “to be” pool owner often enough. A picture taken or a pool viewed could possibly have not been balanced correctly at the time. This could absolutely distort the typical hue of a pool finish. Some pools perhaps on well water with a high content of metals will cast a green hue. If your pool water color suddenly turns a different hue you may want to check your pool water and see if it is in balance. Pools on well water or in areas with high metal content in the water may always cast a shade unlike the typical hue. NOTE: New pools need to be given at least a week to balance. If the pool is on well water it may take up to two weeks. V. Preconceived Ideas This variable encompasses all of the variables that have been discussed in this eBook. When you look at a picture of a pool in a magazine or have even viewed a display pool in person please keep in mind the differences in your pool’s size, depth and surroundings. If you are viewing a large deep pool and your pool is a small play pool be aware that your pool water color will not have as deep and rich of a tone. Also, your pool may not receive much sunlight and the pool you are viewing is in full sun. If you are still in the layout phase you may want to situate your pool in a different place in your yard. Take a good look at your hardscape material colors and ask what role they could play in determining the pool’s water color. Just remember that the image you have captured in your mind of a pool’s water color may not be achievable in the parameters of your pool’s setting Multimedia Disclaimers We do our best to give you the best representative images. Cameras, lens filters and brochure papers are all different and therefore may capture a different hue. Please keep in mind that computer monitors do vary too. We hope that we have helped you narrow down all the choices you have available when choosing your pool finish. Also, we are sure we have given you a few more things to consider when selecting your water color. Our brochure and website will give you a good idea of water color in a normal condition, but know that every pool is unique. Remember the influences of size, depth, sunlight, surrounding materials and water chemistry all have a factor in determining water color. WATER COLOR HUE GUIDE FOR WET EDGE POOL FINISHES Products are grouped by the water color hue they cast in most cases. Products are displayed by product line and are in the order of their intensity level. The order is based on the pool having the same variables such as size, depth, sunlight, surroundings and water chemistry. Blue Hues Aquamarine Hues Aqua Green Hues Black Bottom Hues The watercolor hue cast by Black Bottom pools can be either blue or green.